Ralph Nansel

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Ralph Alden Nansel age 88 of Arnold, NE, passed away on January 27, 2026, at the Callaway Good Life Center.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church in Arnold, NE. Burial will follow in the Arnold Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Arnold Cemetery, United Methodist Church of Arnold, Callaway Good Life Center, or the Donor’s choice. A visitation and time to greet the family will be held on Sunday, February 1st, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the United Methodist Church in Arnold. Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Online words of remembrance or condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com

Ralph was born to Loyd and Lois Mae (Avers) Nansel on November 24, 1937, on Garfield Table southwest of Arnold, NE.

Ralph was the youngest of seven children. He spent his childhood on the farm. Ralph went to country school at Garfield Table, Yucca Valley and Prairie View in Kilmer Valley. He attended Arnold High School for the first two years, then brother Wayne sent him to Curtis School of Agriculture, where he graduated in 1954.

After graduating Ralph returned to Kilmer Valley to run the farm until brother Kenneth came home from Korea. Shortly after he moved to Don & Mildred Smith’s. Ralph called Mildred the mother he never had. They had a refrigerator and ice cream, which started Ralph’s love for ice cream.

At this time Ralph started custom harvesting with the help of Don, Bobbi, and Max Smith. Ralph was 19 years old and ran a harvest crew from Texas to Montana.

Ralph and Karla Olson were married in June of 1959. They celebrated 60 years of marriage. Ralph and Karla were blessed with three children Brad, Tami, and Dan.

After marriage and starting a family, Ralph knew he had to stay close to home. He was doing farm work, fencing, and cement work.

In 1966, he went to work for Dwight Best at the mobile station on the corner, and Dwight presented Ralph with the opportunity to own his own business. Cal Joy joined Ralph on the corner. Cal took care of the station, and Ralph drove the fuel truck. Ralph’s love was driving the fuel truck.

Ralph built a successful business with hard work, dedication, and always investing money back into the business, that business continues today with Brad and Bryce on the corner.

Ralph never had a hobby he said work was his hobby. He was a loyal Husker Football fan, he enjoyed drives in the country, sitting on the patio in the quiet after a long day of work.

Ralph leaves behind a loving family that will miss him greatly his children Brad (Connie) Nansel, Tami (Leo) Kleffman, and Danny Nansel, three grandchildren Brandon (Amy) Nansel, Bryce Nansel (Lexi Sandoz), and Nicole Kleffman, four great-grandchildren Braxton and Maddie Nansel, Carter and Sawyer Nansel, sister Theda Coleman, brother-in-law Denny Olson, sister-in-law Karen Olson, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, wife Karla, brothers Wayne, Kenneith, Delmar Nansel, sisters Ardith Clark, Shirley Bassett, brothers-in-law, Gary Bassett, Lawrence Coleman, Bob Sheets, Dale Clark, sisters-in-law Charlotte Nansel and Wilma Nansel.